So, just what is Shenmue? JibbyVideos have done a spectacular job making this video showing what the Shenmue series is all about.

If you were not around in 1999 when Shenmue first came out, or did not have the opportunity to play it if you were, you may have missed this game which has gone on to win the hearts of gamers everywhere, and influenced so many games to come after it.

Making his way from Japan to China on a quest to avenge his father, Ryo Hazuki grows from boy to man, encountering new friends, and foes alike, as he completes his Kung-fu training.

Tons of mini games were just one of the features that made the sandbox world of Shenmue so enjoyable. Shenmue defied all convention and created the genre that later came to be known as "open world." An unparalleled level of freedom let you chose how you wanted to play.

First of its kind realism, an immersive story, and not to mention,
the birth of the QTE
, made Shenmue a one-of-a-kind experience and an instant classic.

Shenmue 3 is the true sequel to the classic open world action RPG games, Shenmue and Shenmue 2. Created for modern platforms (PC and PlayStation 4) and built in Unreal 4, Shenmue 3 will continue the legacy of Shenmue.

With your help, we can #SaveShenmue and rejoin Ryo and our favorite characters on this new adventure!

All images on the Kickstarter page are a work in progress.

Shenmue 3 will have familiar elements from its predecessors and new fight mechanics to achieve a new level of interactive storytelling.

If this project reaches its funding goal, Shenmue 3 will be available on the PS4 and PC.

Our ambition is to deliver a Shenmue experience that will draw in newcomers to the series and reward diehard fans with its deep story and rich gameplay.

14 years of planning and ideas from one of the greatest game designers of all time… darn right, there are Stretch Goals! Could these Stretch Goals lead this next Shenmue to change the way we play games again? You know they can. But we can't add Stretch Goals after the game is on shelves.

The more we can raise during this campaign, the more Shenmue 3 will come alive. Together, we can make it happen. Together, we can make a Shenmue that surpasses even the originals!

Area Stretch Goal Explanation

Where we left off... Ryo Hazuki has made his way to China in search of his father’s killer. There he meets a new travelling companion, Shenhua, and learns of a legend from her village that has foretold their path together.

The story continues as Ryo and Shenhua start off on a new journey that will take them farther into enemy territory, deeper into mystery, and ever closer to their destiny.

Will the mystery of the mirrors be revealed? How is Ryo’s father connected to all of this? Will Ryo track down the Chi You Men cartel and face Lan Di in a final showdown?

Since the release of Shenmue 2, now 14 years ago, I have been greeted by the passionate outpouring of dedicated fans and Shenmue community members wherever I go. They all want to know one thing: "When will Shenmue 3 be coming out?" With the advent of games using Kickstarter during these past few years, the new and now frequent demand from the fans has been, “Do a Kickstarter for Shenmue 3!”

If Shenmue 3 was going to get made, I wanted to make it with the fans. Through Kickstarter, I knew that could happen. Together, with Shenmue fans everywhere, I knew we could build the game that the series deserves.

If we do not reach our funding goal, Shenmue 3 will not go forward. I know that the goal of making Shenmue 3 with the fans, and seeing Shenmue in the hands of gamers all around the world is a lofty one. We are balancing our ambitions for a grand sequel with the pragmatic realities of developing a game of this scale. It will not be easy, but I have dreamed of making this sequel for 14 years – it is time to bring Shenmue back! And to make it come true, it will need the love and support from each and every one of you!

So please join us in making Shenmue 3 – let us grow our community and build a new, exciting Shenmue experience!

Ryo - On a journey to avenge his father.

Shenhua - Raised among the forests of China.

Lan Di - Coldblooded boss of the shadowy Chi You Men.

Niao Sun - Deadly siren of the Chi You Men

A pioneer in gaming entertainment for over three decades, He has cemented a place in history for his visionary work. The advancements he brought about in 3D technology, open world gaming, and game play mechanics have broken and redefined genre after genre, influencing countless games since.

Shibuya Productions
President & CEO
Based in Monaco, Shibuya Productions produces and promotes animation, games and movies.
Engaged and knowledgeable about Japanese culture, they serve as a nexus of cultural exchange to and from Japan. They are currently producing the new Astroboy TV series: Astroboy Reboot.

Takeshi Hirai is the lead programmer for the Shenmue series. In 2010 founded the independent game development studio, Neilo Inc, producing Orgarythm for the Playstation Vita and the Japanese arcade version of Left 4 Dead: Survivors.

Wrote the screenplay and game script for Shenmue. Masahiro Yoshimoto has over thirty years of experience writing for Japanese movies and TV dramas.

Shenmue’s main character design artist. After working with SEGA, Kenji Miyawaki went on to do mechanical and prop design for anime including the Bakugan series, Maken-Ki! Battling Venus and Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan: Demon Capital.

A prolific composer and performer, Ryuji Iuchi wrote many songs for Shenmue 1 & 2 including "Shenhua's Theme." His long list of work includes composition and arrangement for albums, movies, TV programs, concerts and events. Among his video game credits are Exstetra and Spectral Force Legacy.

Manabu Takimoto was the environment designer for the original Shenmue. He is an architect who has designed everything from office buildings to bars. His work with Shenmue helped bring the outside world into video games.

The actor playing Ryo in Shenmue 1 and 2. A star of both stage and screen, Masaya Matsukaze has also lent his voice for video games, radio, and many anime including Death Note, FairyTale, Gintama, and Hunter x Hunter.

Hiroaki Takeuchi is Japan’s leading producer in both traditional cel and digital animation. Worked at the publishing house SHUEISHA, Inc. producing the website which brought Yu-Gi-Oh! and Dragon Ball to the world. Co-produced The Animatrix.

Director, producer, and animator, Kenji Itoso already has a long career in the live film and animation industries, and has self-produced a number of animated films, including the award winning Santa Company and Coluboccoro.

Get an international phone card (in-game item) to call Nozomi, Guizhang Chen, Ine-san, Joy, Fuku-san, or other characters from Shenmue 1 & 2. This item will unlock phone conversations and flashback scenes available only to Kickstarter Backers. Keep your friends close with S3 World Telecom.

*All higher Rewards with have the International phone card (in-game item) Reward included.

One of four random figures: Ryo, Shenhua, Chai or the Forklift. (Actual figures may differ from the concept images)

Includes the $100 Reward.

Backer-only Advanced Technique Scroll (In-game Item)

20 Capsule Toy Tickets (In-game Item)

Mp3 download of the original soundtrack with unreleased tracks

Digital artbook filled with unreleased illustrations

Shenmue 3 T-shirt

Includes the $120 Reward

Printed artbook curated by Yu Suzuki

Includes the $160 Reward

Illustration

Backer-only Arcane Technique Scroll (In-game Item)

Skin-change feature for Ryo's Jacket (In-game Item)

Physical CD soundtrack

Includes the $175 Reward

Illustration signed by Yu Suzuki

Backer-only Arcane Technique Scroll (In-game Item)

Skin-change feature for Ryo's Jacket (In-game Item)

Physical CD soundtrack

Includes the $175 Reward

Get all four figures: Ryo, Shenhua, Chai and the Forklift

Includes the $300 Reward

Includes the $500 Reward.

*The Shenmue Guestbook Reward will be included in all higher rewards.

Be in the newest Shenmue capsule toy collection as your own block figure for the in-game capsule toy machines.

Give an idea for the toy's name.

Receive the 2D digital illustration of yourself.

Includes the $600 Reward.

Your name will appear on a Choubu temple in Chinese characters.

Receive a PDF of your name in Chinese characters as it will appear in the game.

Find your name tag on the temple and receive a special Technique Scroll!

Includes the $600 Reward.

In the oriental tradition of marking a pilgrimage to a temple by affixing one's name to the building, your name will appear on a Choubu temple in Chinese characters. The Chinese characters for your name will be approved by Yu Suzuki himself. Find your name tag on the temple and receive a special Technique Scroll! + Receive a PDF of your name in Chinese characters as it will appear in the game. Be part of the culture that is the world of Shenmue. *Specific character requests (as possible), name etymology (provided by you), and phonetic transliteration will be used to determine name characters.

Your hand and all the mysteries that lie within its palm will be featured in a book at a fortune teller. See what your future will hold!

$600 Reward included.

Corey Marshall, the English voice actor who plays the main character Ryo in Shenmue 1 & 2, will do a special voice message for you as Ryo.

Includes the $600 Reward.

Get one of each of the following:

Hand Drawn Illustration by Kenji Miyawaki

Wristwatch (Blue)

Shenmue 1 T-shirt or Mousepad or CD Case

Includes the $600 Reward

Get a Chinese character of your choice (or specially selected for you) to represent yourself, drawn in ornate calligraphy.

Find your character displayed at the Temple of the Blooming Flower and get a special Technique Scroll!

Get the physical, hand-drawn calligraphy of your character!

Includes the $800 Reward.

Kenji Miyawaki will draw you as a chibi figure for the in-game capsule toy vending machines.

Give an idea for the toy's name.

Receive the 2D digital illustration of yourself.

Includes the $600 Reward.

Limit 60

Choose one of three wishes.

Your name and birthdate will be written on a traditional wishing plaque to be displayed at a temple in Bailu Village.

Find your plaque and your wish will come true!

This is Kickstarter only exclusive!

Includes the TEMPLE OF THE BLOOMING FLOWER and SHENMUE PATRON Rewards.

Be immortalized in world of Shenmue with your picture in the harbor waiting area for the Choubu passenger boat.

Your name will appear on the guest register at a Choubu inn. Show the world how Shenmue you are.

Concept design models of the main characters, produced for the development of Shenmue I. These busts were important stepping stones in the design phase to make them as life-like as possible, and were the first time the characters took shape (literally). Good condition, with wear and discoloration from all the loving hands that went into making Shenmue.

Includes the RYO VOICE MESSAGE BY COREY MARSHALL and I AM SHENMUE 3 Rewards.

Limit 15.

Get to name a street vendor in the Choubu area. Once Yu Suzuki approves your name, it will become vendor’s sign in Chinese and English. Could you be the next Bob or Tom?

RYO VOICE MESSAGE BY COREY MARSHALL Reward included.

Limit 10.

Includes one of each of the following:

Hand Drawn Illustration by Kenji Miyawaki

Wristwatch (Silver)

Wristwatch (Blue)

CD Case

CD Player Case

1/6 Scale Ryo Collectible Figure

Shenmue 1 T-shirt

Poster

Mouse Pad

Pen & Notepad or Desk Clock

Includes the RYO VOICE MESSAGE BY COREY MARSHALL, TEMPLE OF THE BLOOMING FLOWER and I AM SHENMUE 3 Rewards.

Appear as an NPC staying at a Choubu inn. No big battle scene with Ryo, but this is your chance to cameo in the world of Shenmue!

Limit 4.

Includes the RYO VOICE MESSAGE BY COREY MARSHALL Reward.

The original jacket worn by Masaya Matsukaze for all of the Shenmue press events 14 years ago

Special video message just for you by Yu Suzuki

Named as a Special Sponsor in the credits

Includes the RYO VOICE MESSAGE BY COREY MARSHALL and I AM SHENMUE 3 Rewards.

Bring a friend to join a dinner party in Japan with Yu-san and the other backers of this tier. (Date will be tentatively set for September, 2016)

Original script set from Shenmue 1 and 2

Named as a Special Sponsor in the credits

Includes the RYO VOICE MESSAGE BY COREY MARSHALL and I AM SHENMUE 3 Rewards

Transportation and lodging not included.

Your face will be featured on a Chi You Men member to do battle with Ryo! To maintain character setting, body style will be up to Mr. Suzuki.

Named as a Special Sponsor in the credits

Includes the RYO VOICE MESSAGE BY COREY MARSHALL and I AM SHENMUE 3 Rewards.

Limit 5

Bring a friend to participate in a Shenmue 3 project meeting with Yu-san in the medieval and marvelously scenic town of Eze, followed by a dinner party. (Date will be tentatively set for the end of February, 2016).

Named as a Special Sponsor in the credits

Includes the RYO'S JACKET - REPLICA Reward.

Includes the RYO VOICE MESSAGE BY COREY MARSHALL and I AM SHENMUE 3 Rewards.

Limit 3

Transportation and lodging not included.

Bring a friend to join a dinner party in Los Angeles with Yu-san and the other backers of this tier. (Date will be tentatively set for June, 2016).

Named as a Special Sponsor in the credits

Includes the RYO'S JACKET - REPLICA Reward

Includes the RYO VOICE MESSAGE BY COREY MARSHALL and I AM SHENMUE 3 Rewards.

Ys Net and I have been putting in many long years trying to find a way to bring back a sequel that so many fans have waited so long for. After learning of Kickstarter, I knew it would be possible to get Shenmue 3 started. Wanting to make the best game possible, I also knew that I would have to look to more traditional means to obtain all the funds that would be needed to create the game I had envisioned.

I can say that with their assistance on the production and marketing end, and in Sony’s case with some publishing support as well, Ys Net is able to use more of the money we collect through Kickstarter purely for Shenmue 3’s development. It is also important to note that your funds are going strictly to Ys Net for development of Shenmue 3 – Sony and Shibuya Productions are not seeing a cent of your Kickstarter dollars.

- Yu Suzuki

Risks and challenges

Risk and challenge are two words that have been with Shenmue 3 for the past 14 years. In fact, Shenmue has always been about risk and challenge. This time will be no different.

The real challenge now is to deliver a sequel that we will all be satisfied with after 14 years of waiting. After much research and planning, we set the funding goal at this level believing it will make possible a fulfilling Shenmue experience.

With regards to development of the game, we have an experienced team, deeply connected with the Shenmue franchise. With modern tools, experienced professionals, and the community of Shenmue by our sides, we have set ourselves up for success.

We will do our absolute best to deliver Shenmue 3 and the rewards by their respective deadlines. However, there is always the possibility that problems may arise which could affect reward delivery. There may end up being changes in game or reward designs. We may press right when we are supposed to press left and get hilariously head butted and kneed in the groin.

In these situations, the whole Shenmue 3 team promises to keep you updated and informed on the game development and reward delivery progress. We are all very excited, ambitious, and optimistic that we have prepared well, and are ready for the challenges that are ahead of us.

Ryo and Shenhua are not out of the woods yet, so we ask for your ongoing support.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 39 or more
About US$ 39

SAVE SHENMUE DIGITAL UPGRADE

Kickstarter exclusive Shenmue III
wallpaper set. The wallpapers will feature the Real Deal Ryo & Sure as Sugar Shenhua - the perfect models of our heroes as they were always imagined to be! + Your name on the official Shenmue III website.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 100 or more
About US$ 100

SHENMUE 3 TRIAL VERSION

Your choice of a digital copy of the game for PC or PS4, or a physical copy for PC + A digital copy of the trial version for PC + Your name in the credits. Be the first anywhere to play Shenmue 3. Get the real word straight from the development team.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 300 or more
About US$ 300

SIGNED KICKSTARTER COLLECTOR'S EDITION

A must have for the Shenmue fan. Get an illustration signed by Yu Suzuki. Don't miss your opportunity to get Yu's autograph! + A backer-only Arcane Technique Scroll + A Skin-change feature for Ryo's Jacket + The physical CD soundtrack.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 800 or more
About US$ 800

SHENMUE PATRON

In the oriental tradition of marking a pilgrimage to a temple by affixing one's name to the building, your name will appear on a Choubu temple in Chinese characters. The Chinese characters for your name will be approved by Yu Suzuki himself.

Find your name tag on the temple and receive a special Technique Scroll!

+ Receive a PDF of your name in Chinese characters as it will appear in the game.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 1,400 or more
About US$ 1,400

DREAMS COME TRUE

Choose one of three wishes. Your name and birthdate will be written on a traditional wishing plaque to be displayed at a temple in Bailu Village. Find your plaque and your wish will come true! This is Kickstarter only exclusive!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 1,500 or more
About US$ 1,500

I AM SHENMUE 3

Be immortalized in world of Shenmue with your signed picture in the harbor waiting area for the Choubu passenger boat. Plus your name will appear on the guest register at a Choubu inn. Show the world how Shenmue you are.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 2,500 or more
About US$ 2,500

SHENMUE CHARACTER BUST

Concept design models of the main characters, produced for the development of Shenmue I. These busts were important stepping stones in the design phase to make them as life-like as possible, and were the first time the characters took shape (literally). Good condition, with wear and discoloration from all the loving hands that went into making Shenmue.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 10,000
About US$ 10,000

RYO'S JACKET - THE ORIGINAL

The original jacket worn by Masaya Matsukaze for all of the Shenmue press events 14 years ago. What fan has not seen this legendary article of clothing before? + A special video message just for you by Yu Suzuki. + Be named as a Special Sponsor in the credits.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 10,000
About US$ 10,000

DINNER WITH YU SUZUKI + SHENMUE SCRIPT SET

Bring a friend to join a dinner party in Japan with Yu-san and the other backers of this tier. (Date will be tentatively set for September, 2016). + An original script set from Shenmue 1 and 2. Even those working closely with the production of the first titles may not have laid eyes on these rare treasures. Scripts are in Japanese. You will also be named as a Special Sponsor in the credits.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 10,000
About US$ 10,000

DINNER WITH YU SUZUKI IN MONACO + RYO'S JACKET - REPLICA

Bring a friend to participate in a Shenmue 3 project meeting with Yu-san in the picturesque town of Eze, to be followed by dinner. (Date will be tentatively set for the end of February, 2016). + Be named as a Special Sponsor in the credits.